SHEFFIELD EAGLES: Staff continuity benefits Eagles

James Collins
Rugby League

SHEFFIELD Eagles boss Mark Aston believes the continuity in his coaching and backroom staff will be a factor in defending the Championship title.

Aston paid tribute to assistant coaches Waisale Sovatabua and Dave Larder and the team behind the team as pre-season training is stepped up.

“It’s a bonus; we talk about the players where continuity brings consistence but it’s the same with the coaching,” he said. “Was (Sovatabua) has been with us for a few years and Dave came in and did a fantastic job. Was may have been born in Fiji but when he moved to Sheffield in 1995 he became part of the fixtures and fittings and is very passionate about the club.”

Sovatabua has been on the Eagles staff for six years but Larder took his first steps into coaching last season after retiring as a player.

Both are former Eagles players, although Larder spent most of his career at Halifax who the Eagles will play in their opening game of the 2013 season.

He said: “It’s different from playing. When I came down last year, from Mark’s point of view, it was a suck it and see with me. I always had ideas of going into coaching but until you do it you don’t know but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Working closely with the coaches as they prepare the squad is physio Mick Hayes and strength and conditioning coaches Nick Ward and his new assistant Hamzat Ahmed.

Aston reckons the coaching backroom staff got “the best out of the players last season”.